It has survived the Great Depression, the Great Recession, the rise of big box stores, the domination of online shopping and the invention of e-books. Since 1928 the Bennington Bookshop has invited readers in to peruse its shelves, and now the Main Street mainstay enters a new era with its fifth set of owners.Earlier this month, longtime owners Ellen and Rick Havlak hosted an open house to introduce the community to the store's new owners, Linda Foulsham and Phil Lewis.
"We are pleased to have been able to sell a bricks-and-mortar store in this digital age and we wish Linda and Phil the best as they continue as independent bookstore owners," the Havlaks said. "We will miss the day-to-day interactions with our customers and the many visitors to the area, but we will continue to be active in the community that we have called home for the last 35 years."
The new owners are relocating to Bennington from North Carolina. They commented, "We are very grateful to have the opportunity to own and operate an independent bookstore in Bennington. The Havlaks could not be more gracious and helpful, and the community has been very warm and welcoming. We look forward to playing an active role in the community and to ensuring that The Bennington Bookshop continues to play a vital role in the local economy for many years to come."
According to Better Bennington Corporation Executive Director John Shannahan, the late Ron Sinclair first opened the Bennington Bookshop opened in 1928. He sold the business to Joe and Emely Parks who, in turn, sold it to Jay and Joan Zwynenburg. The Zwynenburgs divided the original store into three separate businesses by selling the book department, along with the name “Bennington Bookshop,” to Ellen and Rick Havlak in 1979. The Zwynenburgs also sold off the store's office products department, but kept the greeting card and art supplies to open Jay’s Art Shop and Frame Gallery, now located on South Street.
Rick and Ellen Havlak first moved the bookshop across the street to where Armstrong Jewelers is now located but, in 1995, settled in at the current location of 467 Main Street.
